Legal action mulled over Key effigy claims

The Internet Party is seeking legal advice after Prime
Minister John Key linked a video an effigy of himself being
burned by jeering youths with the party and founder Kim
Dotcom.

A spokeswoman for the party said it was also seeking a
retraction from TVNZ because Rawdon Christie, the host of the
broadcaster's Breakfast programme which showed the video to
Mr Key, did not challenge the Prime Minister on his comments.

Last week saw a furore over a promotional video published by
the party which included footage on an Internet Party concert
where Mr Dotcom joined in with a crowd chant of F**k John
Key.

This morning on Breakfast, Mr Key was shown the video of the
effigy being burnt - which had previously been highlighted by
National Party aligned blogger Cameron Slater - and asked for
his reaction by Mr Christie.

Mr Key did not name Mr Dotcom but appeared to be referring to
him in his response when he replied: "The way I sort of see
this guy, is that I think New Zealanders will call it
themselves."

"They'll make their own decision about whether they want
someone in the political system that does this sort of
stuff."

Speaking about the people shown in the two videos, Mr Key
said: "I think they're just part of a pawn about what this
guy's doing. But I just think New Zealanders will just sort
of say that's not kind of just the way we do politics in New
Zealand, it may be the way that Kim Dotcom wants to do
things."

"Internet Mana you know put that, both these videos together
and put it on their sites on under their banner so they're
the ones promoting it – Internet Mana."

A spokeswoman for Internet Party Leader Laila Harre said the
effigy burning video had not been put together or published
by the party and the party was now considering legal options
over Mr Key's comments drawing a link.

The spokeswoman also said Mr Christie should have challenged
the Prime Minister when he made the link and Internet Party
would be seeking a retraction or correction from Breakfast
over the matter.

The Dotcom carry on would lead any discerning person to
believe burning an effigy is entirely feasible. If the Mana
Internet Party (whatever they are called - and who cares?),
had behaved like a legitimate party instead of acting like
teenagers whose parents have left them at home by themselves,
then this wouldn't have been an issue.

And now I see that Laila is taking her own security to the
debate coming up? Publicity stunt anyone? Stop acting like
spoiled brats and concentrate on grown-up politics. Go on,
try really hard. .I'm sure you can do it... well, I am sure
you can try.